2018 Honda CBR250R vs KTM RC 200 – Honda CBR250R and KTM RC200 are currently the best full-faired sport bikes options for riders who are willing for uninterrupted performance under a decent price tag. Honda’s quarter liter sports tourer is here from a long time but it didn’t took a long time for RC 200 to make a name for itself in the Indian market.
Both the bikes are from two different worlds, leading into much confusion when choosing a bike based on its design. The track focused RC 200 looks mean, sharp, and more of the sport bike category from its looks. On the other hand, CBR250R is sporty while its tourer friendly nature can be easily guessed from thick seats, higher handlebar and a relaxed design. The single headlight and fairing design has been picked from the VFR1200F while KTM RC 200 resembles the elder 390 series RC.
If you are more like a touring guy and prefer riding long hours at the weekend, KTM is strictly not a good option for the same. Even if you ride quite good number of kilometers everyday, the lean forward position of the KTM can be tiring and negative on your body. Do prefer a KTM RC 200 if you love track sprints or you can ride the bike without bumps near your location. The CBR250R is an all-rounder here. You can ride it all day as its upright riding position is not so tiring and the bike feels much stable on the highway with its high body weight. CBR250R is even more comfortable for the pillion as there is nothing to hold on the RC 200’s rear seat.
The top speed of CBR250R is 5 kmph less than the 140 kmph limit for the RC 200. Honda has mentioned 135 kmph as the top speed for the 2018 model of CBR250R on their official website. But we feel that it can easily touch 145 kmph. But still KTM RC 200 might win when it comes to quick acceleration. The thing which benefits the RC 200 is its sporty riding position, lighter weight and a sport oriented frame under its body. It helps the bike while cornering hard on the track, leaving the CBR250R behind in this case.
| Honda CBR250R | KTM RC 200 | |
| Displacement | 249.6 cc | 199.5 cc |
| Transmission | 6-Speed | 6-Speed |
| No. of Cylinders | 1-Cylinder | 1-Cylinder |
| Max. Power | 26.5 HP @ 8500 rpm | 25 HP @ 10,000 rpm |
| Max. Torque | 22.9 Nm @ 7000 rpm | 19.2 NM @ 8000 rpm |
| Fuel Supply | Fuel Injection | Fuel Injection |
| Engine Cooling | Liquid-Cooled | Liquid-Cooled |
| Engine Setup | 4-Stroke 4-Valve | 4-Stroke 4-Valve |
| Top Speed | 135 kmph (Claimed) | 140 kmph (Approx.) |
| Mileage | 35-40 kmpl (Claimed) | 32-36 kmpl (Approx.) |
CBR250R is a big bike, measuring on the higher side when it comes to length, width and height. It even has longer wheelbase and provides a better seat height of just 784 mm. The KTM RC200 on the other side is narrow and lower in overall height while its seat height is quite high at 820 mm. Short riders may not find it easy touching the ground on the KTM. The CBR250R weighs 164 kg whereas KTM is straight 10 kg lighter at just 154 kg. While being long enough for both, if handling higher weights is difficult for you, KTM may suit you better in this case.
| Honda CBR250R | KTM RC 200 | |
| Length | 2030 mm | 1978 mm |
| Width | 720 mm | 688 mm |
| Height | 1127 mm | 1098 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1369 mm | 1340 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145 mm | 178.5 mm |
| Seat Height | 784 mm | 820 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 164 kg (STD) | 154 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 13 litres | 9.50 litres |
| Honda CBR250R | KTM RC 200 | |
| Brakes (F) | 296 mm Disc | 300 mm Disc |
| Brakes (R) | 220 mm Disc | 230 mm Disc |
| Suspension (F) | Conventional Forks | Upside Down Forks |
| Suspension (R) | Adjustable Monoshock | Adjustable Monoshock |
| ABS | 2-Channel ABS | No ABS |
| Honda CBR250R | KTM RC 200 | |
| Frame | Twin Spar Type | Tubular Frame |
| Front Tyre | 110/70 R17 | 110/70 R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 140/70 R17 | 150/60 R17 |
The RC 200 comes with premium equipment like front USD forks and dual projector headlights while the provision of optional ABS on the CBR250R makes them special ones among others. You can choose the priority of features and select the one which suits you on more parameters than others. The CBR250R currently retails for INR 1.64 Lakh for the non-ABS and INR 1.94 Lakh for dual channel ABS version. The KTM RC 200 comes with a single variant, priced at INR 1.79 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
Honda CBR250R would be an ideal choice if relaxed riding, powerful highway cruising and decent mileage is your first preference. Do consider buying a RC 200 if you love driving at high speeds without compromising on the stability of the motorcycle at the corners. If you have a dream of owning a proper track focused bike, RC 200 is a better option while CBR250R works better as an everyday bike.
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